I have so many questions! I am looking for ideas for my kids for Christmas. I really would like to buy their stuff gently used this year, they won't know the diff. For a couple of reasons, first being cost of course, but would prefer to buy them from other parents so that they get the money not China. Also, I think it might be greener (no new production, buy local, etc.) if I got them at a consignment shop or garage sale. I have looked on ebay before but it always seems like the sellers really want to make a large profit and once you add on shipping you can get the toy new at the store instead of used. Or it's all "stores" not just sellers trying to get rid of stuff they have outgrown. Also is there a way to buy used for friends kids and family (cousins,nieces and nephews) without looking cheap. I won't have a gift receipt but I would like to buy local, possibly be greener (if that's a word), save money and give my money to other American's since it seems impossible to find Made in USA toys. Do I put something on the gift tag to indicate it is gently used? Where are your favorite Tampa consignment shops?
He was 4 in April so he'll be closer to 5 by the end of the year. I am looking for action figures or pretend play but would prefer no Power Rangers type figures and he's received spiderman but doesn't play with it. He really likes his MANY dinosaurs and his 2-5 legos. I like the Play Mobil stuff but would like to find them gently used or resale. He loves old TV cartoons, bugs bunny, Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo more than new shows. What does your boy play with?
I'd also like toys for my daughter. We already have a ton of kitchen stuff, brother loves to cook. She loves babies, we have plenty of those and accessories. She has the Fisher Price my first doll house and some princess figures I picked up a garage sale. I got some friends daughters Snap-n-Style dolls by Fisher Price would like to find those used too. What does your girl live for?
My suggestion is not to buy any used gifts. It's better to go to Walmart, and buy something not expensive, but new. Giving used items makes you look cheap, and some parents would not let their kids have "used" clothes & toys. There is no way to tactfully give used gifts. I personally believe that what you do is great! But, I had to give you my honest opinion on used gifting.
Good luck!!
R..
Craigslist is where you need to go. The local site is tampa.craigslist.org . I get a lot of toys and clothes for my kids that way. As far as giving gifts that are gently used to others outside of your immediate household, I don't know if there is a way to do that without it looking tacky. Unfortuneately, for most people it's not the thought that counts. That is one of my biggest frustrations at holiday time. If you do find a way to pull that off, let me know because I have strugged with the same question.
Once Upon a Child in La Viva plaza carries a lot of nice, gently used toys. They stock up around the holidays so the selection is good. I find it's good to go in on Sunday since they get a lot of stuff on Saturday and it doesn't all get put out until later in the day or early Sunday. Mondays are probably good too. I have bought a lot of stuff there for my children and some for neices and nephews. They vacuum seal some of their toys too, so it seems like it's newish..As far as buying for other children, I think that just depends on the individuals. I have family who don't care and shop there too, and then I have some family I don't feel as comfortable buying recycled stuff for. I have bough little purses and stuff like that for a niece who fit the latter category and also a skirt and it went over great. It just depends on what it is I think and the condition. Hope this helps!!
Baby Go Round on Henderson rocks. Lots of cool stuff packed in to the shop and friendly owners. I always buy my kid toys there. Avoid all plastics if you can.
Like the other Mom's said: www.craigslist.com
We have had SO much luck buying (and okay luck selling) on there. We found this one lady who was moving (it sounded like she was getting out of her relationship and had plane tickets for the next morning), and was selling *everything* in her home. She had a daughter and son just a bit older than my 2, so we got so many fantastic things - toys that were $50 on amazon, she was selling for $5.
A bit of advise: make sure you see photos of the items before you go to meet the person (I've heard stories of people selling toys, but they were in no condition for kids to play with).
I buy and sell a lot of stuff on Craig's List. People post pics and if you show up and its not what you wanted, you don't have to buy it.
P.
I can try to help you on the buying and giving side. Also I will tell you what my girls liked when they were 2. First, the buying. I buy things at Comfy Kids in Temple Terrace, Once Upon a Child in Brandon (there is one in S. Tampa and one in Pinellas as well). I also shop at yard sales and the Salvation Army. I belong to Freecycle and the concept there is to give away things you no longer need, to keep things from ending up in the landfill. Some people put up wanted wish lists on freecycle, too, but I think you have to show some kind of record of offering items, too. Check it out, it's a Yahoo group. When shopping at consignment shops for gifts, I try to find things new with tags. I figure noone has to be the wiser, as long as it's clean and given with thought put into it (love). I have never put a note on saying gently used (because I find things with their original tags). Also, unless I do buy at a retail store, I don't worry about the gift receipts. I figure if someone doesn't need the item I got, they can pass it on to someone else. Try Craigslist, too. They have some good deals sometimes from people wanting to bypass the Ebay fees, etc. As for the 2 year old, my girls always enjoyed books, Baby Einstein DVD's, drawing and coloring, anything Princess (costumes, purses, etc.). I found an old purse one day at a yard sale that was nothing I would carry, but my daughter thought it was wonderful! I put a few little things in it and she carried it around everywhere! There are also little v-tech games that are learning games but are a little expensive (try the consignments). Well, hope this all helped and happy holidays!
GOOD FOR YOU! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one out here thinking the same thing. My kids are a little older but I've been scouring garage sales for treasures. I found a brand new bike(used twice) for my daughter at a garage sale for $20! I told my son we will keep looking for him. He is excited to go garage sailing with me:) I also picked up some used tennis rackets for us to play with together.
I know eventually my kids will get older and want name brand stuff and be embarrassed to tell friends about second hand stuff, but hopefully they will have a better grasp of how expensive things are and have a better appreciation for money. I am iffy to buy used things for other families...although you can find some great stuff out there...
I guess it depends on how close you are to the other parents and if you know that the kid would absolutely love the gift, etc... I know I wouldn't care if my child received a gently used item. If I found something, I might call the parent and say "Hey, I found (fill in) and it's gently used, do you think (fill in) would love it?...I was thinking of Christmas, or Birthday." That way you make sure the kid doesn't already have it and the parent knows not to pick that up for a gift, too. AND the parent has a chance to process that you are buying second hand gifts...WHO Knows, maybe he or she will feel relieved and go out looking for treasures, too.:)
This is a good thing.
Good luck spreading the fever:)
S.
